Rayman is a franchise of platform video games, published by Ubisoft. Since the release of the original Rayman, conceived by Michel Ancel in 1995, the series has produced a total of 44 games across multiple platforms.

The series is set in a fantastical, magical world which features a wide range of environments that are often based on certain themes, such as "the Eraser Plains", a landscape made entirely of stationery. The core games of the series are platformers, but there are several spin-off titles in other genres. The protagonist is the eponymous Rayman, a magical being renowned for his courage and determination who, with the help of his friends, must save his world from various villains.

The console versions are minigame-based party games, with the Wii version taking advantage of the motion control capabilities of the Wii Remote.

The Game Boy Advance version is notably different from the console versions, being that it's a 2D platformer developed using the same engine as the Game Boy Advance port of Rayman 3. This version includes characters from previous Rayman games that don't appear in the console versions.

The DS version is also notably different as it combines parts of platforming and party game elements. This version uses the same engine as Rayman DS.

The Wii version of Rayman Raving Rabbids was re-released on the Wii U eShop in 2017.

Rayman is the main protagonist of the series. He has no arms, legs or neck, though he has hands, feet, and a head that are able to move independent of his body. Due to his lack of arms, Rayman is able to throw his fists in long-range punches at his enemies, and in some games is even able to project balls of energy from his hands. He is able to glide by spinning his hair like a helicopter blade. He is typically found wearing white gloves, a red neckerchief on a purple shirt and a white ring on the chest (which was replaced with a red and purple hoodie in the later entries), and yellow trainers. He is voiced by David Gasman and Steve Perkinson in the video games and by Billy West in the animated series. He was awarded the Best New Character award of 1995 by Electronic Gaming Monthly.[1]

Globox is Rayman's best friend and sidekick. Although easily frightened, he has often demonstrated his courage. In Rayman 3, he is voiced by John Leguizamo.[2]

Barbara is a spunky, red-haired princess warrior and barbarian who first appeared in Rayman Legends, becoming the first human being to be playable in the main series, simultaneously with another sister and eight other cousins who can be rescued throughout Legends. She is armed with a flail battle axe, whose head can be launched forward from the shaft to strike foes from a distance, and uses a magical winged helmet to float through the air, mimicking Rayman's helicopter hair ability. Barbara also returns in Rayman Adventures, having cut her long hair to neck level and exchanged her axe with a shovel.

Betilla the Fairy is a benevolent fairy. After failing to stop Mister Dark steal the Great Protoon, Betilla assists Rayman in his quest by granting him various new abilities as the game progresses. Betilla reappears in a similar role and with a new design in Rayman Origins, where it is revealed she was the one who created Rayman.

Ly the Fairy is a benevolent fairy who assists Rayman through the course of the second game. She is voiced by Kim Michelle Broderick.

Murfy serves as a guide to Rayman. He has a hasty nature, unable to deal with failure. He appears bored with his job and cannot be bothered with trivial details. His race is depicted as mischievous and described as "cultivated hedonist". He is voiced by Billy West.